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World League get's bigger and better for 2014

The excitement
and action of the World League is more intense this year as the 25th
edition of the FIVB World League sees the competition increase from 18
to 28 teams split into seven pools of four teams each.

It is the first
time the FIVB’s premiere event will feature such a large number of teams
having had 16 teams from 2001-2003 and 2006-2012. The World League
featured eight teams in its inaugural year in 1990, 10 in 1991, 12 from
1992-2000 and 2004-05 and then 18 in the 2013 edition.

This year, Pool A
features two of the most successful countries in the 24-year history of
the World League with world No. 1 and nine-time champions Brazil along
with eight time winners Italy, 2012 champions Poland and the rapidly
improving Iran.
In Pool B are defending champions Russia, 2012 silver medallists USA,
fourth-placed team at last year’s World League, Bulgaria and four-time
runners-up Serbia.

Pool C features
first time participants Belgium along with Canada, Australia and Finland
while Argentina, Germany, France and Japan are in Pool D. Pool E
features the Netherlands, Korea, the Czech Republic - who return to the
World League after making their only previous appearance in 2003 - and
Portugal.

Last year’s 13th
place finishers Cuba are joined in Pool F by World League debutants
Tunisia, Turkey and Mexico whilst Pool G sees Puerto Rico return after
making their only appearance in 2011, China and Spain return after last
appearing in 2010 and 2008 respectively while Slovakia will make their
World League debut.

Current Olympic
and last year’s European champion, Russia will be looking to notch up
another victory in their already impressive portfolio of gold medal
wins. In 2013 Russia became the third country after Brazil and Italy to
win three or more World League titles after an impressive 3-0 win over
nine-time winners Brazil in the Final. Italy completed the podium with a
bronze medal - their first World League medal since 2004 with a 3-2 win
against Bulgaria.